It has been the craziest of days, Lords and Ladies. It began with the sound of rushing water in our half-bath as if someone were running water for a bath. Except since it’s a half bath there is NO bathtub. Soon, I was mopping up water from the floor and screaming for my poor husband.
Um, have I mentioned I am HORRIBLE in crisis moments? I spent much of my morning trouble shooting and unclogging the the drain. Long story short, our washing machine doesn’t drain in a “traditional” route. This is what happens when your home was built in the 1950s and most of the plumbing was added later. We call it creative engineering. It resulted in a soggy load of laundry, a soaked bathroom floor and two overflowing pipes. Lovely.
The day continued with a printer that kept jamming inexplicably (even when it had no paper in it). My router continually dropping the WiFi signal and logistical problems galore for a number of projects I’m trying to organize over the next 48 hours in order to successfully launch the book. I had a conference call in the afternoon. Let me be straight with you. To date, I’ve probably had about 3 conference calls ever. This week I’ve doubled that number. It stretches my brain. There are 55 days until Slaying the Debt Dragon releases and I”m convinced I could fill every minute of the next 55 days and still not get things finished. Don’t believe me? Here’s the wall of my home that is my running to do list.
However, this evening while I was writing a Daily Journal article, I began to count all of the things I could be thankful for today. I’m a firm believer that gratitude can save you money (more in next week’s Daily Journal article). I’m not an expert on how to be thankful. So many times, I choose anger and frustration over gratefulness. I stew and line item my woes and what everyone else has done to tick me off. It’s not healthy, friends. Tonight I’m endeavoring to line item a recognition of my blessings instead, full knowing that if I don’t move things from my brain and into written form, they’ll vaporize and lose their power. In no particular order, here is my gratitude list de jour.
I’m thankful for overflowing sinks because those stinky sinks mean I have indoor plumbing. I can bathe, use the potty, cook, brush my teeth on a regular basis without fear of disease or even cold water. There is so much joy in a hot shower in the morning and washing my face after a long day. I’m thankful for home improvement stores, where I have the money purchase items to unclog said sinks. Especially they because they give me the opportunity to add extra steps to my day, making my Fitbit happy.
I’m thankful for grocery shopping (even though I’m not the biggest fan of the practice) because I am reminded that we can stock our refrigerator and cabinets with more food than we can eat. We delight in vegetables and fruits. We are able to buy savory items and sweet treats. We never worry where our next meal will come from.
I’m thankful for dirty dishes that indicate we ate at home, saving money and eating foods that are healthier for our bodies. They are a frugal badge of honor and the evidence of a wise choice.
I’m thankful for dirty laundry. It means we have clothes to wear – like LOTS of them. We’re never cold because we lack socks or shoes. We’re never without color or necessities.
I’m thankful for technology. It connects me to the world and brings the hilarity of YouTube videos of babies and monkeys riding on dogs. When my internet connection goes out, I panic which is really kind of weird because I spent much of my life without it. It’s a pleasure not a necessity. I’ve found dear friends, reconnected with people I once knew, and stayed in contact with family members who live all over the world with the ease of couple of clicks.
I’m thankful for a printer, even when it doesn’t work. I can type something on a screen and it can pop out on paper. This is nothing short of a miracle, regardless of jams.
I’m thankful for a car even if the driver’s side window doesn’t roll down and it needs a tank of gas. For starters, that window not rolling down has saved me THOUSANDS of drive thru dollars. You should try it. And the fact that my car needs gas indicates we’ve been able to travel hundreds of miles without getting a single blister on our feet.
I’m thankful for people who challenge me to stretch and grow, to be the best wife, mother, friend, author, and blogger I can be. For those who encourage me to rethink how I do things and why, whether they realize they’re doing it or not.
I’m thankful for the great number of people who have shared their influence to support my current pursuits. Each time someone downloads a book, leaves a comment, shares a link, or leaves a review my heart floods with joy that someone would take time to share our journey or say that the words I write have made an impact.
I’m thankful for little girls who ask way too many questions and always have a song to sing. For conversations about books that I probably won’t ever read and music I don’t understand (yes, I am beginning to get old). I’m thankful for being “interrupted” every time I sit down and asked for a snack over and over again because it means that my girls are healthy, curious, and filled with life. The days are fleeting and I don’t want to miss these moments, no matter my other goals.
I’m thankful for a husband who sacrifices his time and schedule to meet my needs. He expands to protect me and contracts to support my dreams. He respects my passions and leverages his gifts to help me, reflecting with his actions who Jesus is and how He loves me.
For sticky floors and situations, for long days and even long faces. My heart delights in the simplest of things and I choose to be thankful.
There is much to be grateful for even in the bleakest and most frustrating situations.
What are you thankful for?
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free on Kindle or Pre-Order Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After (due out January 2015).
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